How to keep the U.S. tops in wind energy

America leads the world in wind power — and it’s effectively doing so with one arm tied behind its back.

Today, 39 states, including Montana, have utility-scale wind turbines. Combined, these 39 states generate more wind energy than any other country in the world.

A federal production tax credit has spurred the growth of wind power — and generated billions of dollars in investment and thousands of jobs in the process.

Unfortunately, the credit expired at the end of 2014. Congress must act quickly to extend it. Doing so would accelerate the United States’ shift to clean energy, and foster economic growth across the country.

U.S. wind turbines are so productive that our nation regularly finishes ahead of other countries that have also installed large numbers of turbines, including China, Spain and Germany.

The production tax credit has helped U.S. wind compete with other energy sources that had benefited from decades of tax incentives and federal investments.

The credit has fueled technological progress — taller towers, longer blades, better gearboxes, and new power lines. Project developers now know how to locate turbines so that they capture the most wind with the least impact on local wildlife — while reducing pollution.

Today, the United States generates enough wind energy to power 18 million homes.

This growth has put Americans to work. The wind sector has supported an average of over 73,000 well-paying jobs and attracted over $17 billion a year in private investment over the last five years.

Many of the raw materials used to build wind turbines are sourced right here in the United States. Over 500 factories in 43 states, including Montana, now manufacture parts for the wind industry.

As the industry has grown, the economic benefits have reverberated down the supply chain. With wind-related manufacturers active around the country, transportation costs for key parts have plummeted. That’s helped wind become increasingly cost-competitive with other energy sources in wind-rich areas of the country.

Fortunately, there’s room for more growth. The U.S. Department of Energy is working on a “Wind Vision” study, that shows how to double wind energy production by the end of this decade. That means wind could be responsible for 10 percent of the U.S. electricity supply in 2020. By 2030, that figure could reach 20 percent — and by 2050, wind could be America’s biggest source of electricity.

That’s a future Americans want. A recent poll found that fully 73 percent support the tax credit for investment in new wind farms.

Congress should listen. This clean, homegrown energy source has become a symbol of national progress. Extending the Production Tax Credit would keep wind power competitive and generate economic benefits for decades to come.

James Walker of Las Vegas is vice chairman of the board of EDF Renewable Energy and former chairman of the board of the American Wind Energy Association. He holds a doctorate in business administration from Harvard University.